Canadian police have made an arrest in the armed kidnapping investigation of a 22-year-old Chinese student.<\/p>\n
Three men grabbed Wanzhen Lu and forced him into a van in an underground car park in Markham, a suburb north of Toronto, on 23 March, police say.<\/p>\n
York Regional Police said on Tuesday that they had arrested a 35-year-old Toronto man believed to be involved in the kidnapping.<\/p>\n
The victim, who also goes by the name Peter, has not been located.<\/p>\n
Police say they will not release the name of the suspect in custody as he has not yet been charged.<\/p>\n
The black Dodge Caravan used in the abduction was also found in Toronto on Monday.<\/p>\n
Officers say they continue to fear for the well-being of Mr Lu.<\/p>\n
“With this new development, the suspects are once again urged to release Mr Lu unharmed,” police said in a statement.<\/p>\n
“We strongly recommend they seek legal counsel and turn themselves in.”<\/p>\n
The motive for the kidnapping is not yet known, but a police spokesman said this weekend that the level of violence was “significant.”<\/p>\n
Mr Lu was approached by three masked men as he walked in the car park with a female friend shortly before 6pm.<\/p>\n
He was grabbed by the suspects and forced into a black wheelchair accessible Dodge Caravan which was driven away by a fourth man.<\/p>\n
In the process, Mr Lu was shocked by the stun-gun.<\/p>\n
Police said Mr Lu was taken “100 percent against his will” and his female friend was not harmed in the incident.<\/p>\n
Mr Lu was wearing a black sweatshirt, black jeans and glasses at the time of the kidnapping.<\/p>\n
Officers have also released CCTV images of the attackers and the vehicle.<\/p>\n
Police are liaising with the Chinese consulate.<\/p>\n
Officers have asked anyone who has seen the suspects, vehicle or the victim to call 911.<\/p>\n
York Regional Police’s Homicide and Missing Person Unit is leading the investigation into Mr Lu’s kidnapping, with the support of other services including organised crime and intelligence, as well a canine and air support teams.<\/p>\n
Source: bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"